Give old a new purpose - that's the crux of today's tip, given to us by readers Debbie & Sandra from back when we gave our knitting tip. Use old wool sweaters to create something new!

Debbie told us:

Another way to "go green" with knitting is to recycle yarn. I've been going to the thrift stores and buying wool sweaters to unravel for use in making hats and other warm clothing for charity. It does take some time to do, but it is strangely satisfying to unravel an entire sweater. There's a nice tutorial on how to do this at Neauveau Fiber Arts (among several other sites).

What a great tip - using existing resources to make something new. Plus, that link really does give a step by step! Then Sandra told us:

Recycle wool sweaters - I've done this for years…buy wool sweaters at thrift stores and, deliberately, felt them in the washer/dryer. I use the felted material to make laptop computer covers/holders, tea cozies, tea/hot pads and loads of other useful items.

There are some instructions on how to felt here, but the basic idea is that you put 100% wool sweaters into hot soapy water in the washing machine & repeat until you've got the texture you're looking for. The only thing we don't like about this is the hot water usage…it uses a lot more energy than cold water. Of course, hot water is necessary for felting, so if you're going to do it, make sure to adjust the water level appropriately and do multiple sweaters at once for efficiency.

See V's blog for the "Recycled Sweater Blanket Project" and even more detailed instructions on how to felt. She recommends:

Felt the sweaters in the washing machine by placing them in zippered pillow cases (i put 2-3 sweaters in each case) and washing them in hot water on high agitation for 4-8 minutes. Check the progress of the felting after 4 minutes and pull them out when they’re done. Don’t let them go through the spin cycle, or they’ll get all creased. I hosed them down in the shower and then chucked them in the dryer on high to get them nice and fluffy.

Great tips, ladies! Old wool sweaters have a second chance to live an extra long life.

Rebecca says: I would have never come up with these tips were it not for our readers. Please share your tips with us, and you just might see it on an upcoming Tip o' the Day!

Photo credit: E Journeys' Flickr